Start One Last Call With Kevin Durant, Jaylen Brown Swap

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Kevin Durant #7 of the Brooklyn Nets dribbles in front of Jimmy Butler #22 of the Miami Heat during their game at Barclays Center on October 27, 2021 in New York City.

Kevin Durant requested a deal from the Brooklyn Nets shortly before the official opening of the NBA free agency on June 30. After just three seasons with the franchise and two consecutive disappointing playoffs, the Nets star decided to give up.

NBA insider Shams Charania of “The Athletic” says that the defending Eastern Conference champion Boston Celtics offered the Nets a substantial package for Durant around All-Star Jaylen Brown, but Brooklyn vehemently declined. .

Sources said: “Celtics have recommended Brown, keeper Derrick White and draft pick to the Nets for Durant. The proposal was rejected,” said Charania.

“Brooklyn has asked Boston – in any proposal – to include Brown, Marcus Smart Defensive Player of the Year, draft options and potentially another rotation player, those sources said. more.”

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Shams: Nets have ‘huge’ interest in Durant

The new Celtics made their first appearance at the NBA Finals since 2010. And deservedly, they took the lead in that series on two separate occasions, giving the defending champion Golden State Warriors all whatever they can handle.

Boston could easily find itself playing basketball again next June with the key additions of Malcolm Brogdon and Danillo Gallinari to a team that has proven to be a championship contender. Adding Durant will make them more deadly. Charania says Celtics interest in adding 12 All-Stars is ‘immense’

“Currently, the Celtics are less inclined to include Smart alongside many other players or select assets, but the franchise is considering next steps on how to approach discussions,” added Charania.

“Right now, the Celtics have emerged as a serious possibility as a landing spot for Durant. They were extremely interested in bringing him in and seeing him as the piece that could get them over that final hurdle.”

Woj: Other Celtics ‘No Closer’ Kits Than Durant

The Nets sparring with rival teams over a potential deal for their franchise players has come to an apparent stalemate. As good as Durant is, he is nearing his late 30s and has been bitten by an injury bug in each of the last two seasons. Combine that with the fact that he hasn’t had much playoff success outside of his years with the Warriors, and it’s easy to see why Rival teams would be wary of how much they want to surrender to get he.

ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski says that although the Nets and Celtics are engaged in commercial talks, they are unlikely to land him any closer than any other team in the field.

“As Brooklyn Nets star Kevin Durant’s transaction request approached week four, the Boston Celtics appeared among the teams engaged in negotiations over a possible deal,” Wojnarowski wrote.

“The Celtics appear to be more reluctant to buy Durant than others in discussions with the Nets, but Boston’s ability to put All-Star striker Jaylen Brown at the center of offers has made the team formidable in the process. pursuit, the sources said.”

It’s been almost a month since Durant’s massive transaction request with the Nets, and no traction has been made so far. The closer he gets to training camp, it looks like he’ll be on Brooklyn’s list moving forward.

CONTINUE READING: Nets are urged to sign 8 times with All-Star & Future Club in Free Agency